Comparison

SimpleFT8 vs The Browser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SimpleFT8

This app enables ham radio operators to send and receive digital signals using FT8 and FT4 modes. It facilitates long-distance communication even in challenging conditions, allowing for local logging and optional global propagation mapping.

Highlights
  • Live decode table
  • Slot-aligned transmitter with QSO composer
  • Built-in waterfall display
  • Local QSO logbook with ADIF export
  • Map of decoded stations
  • Optional PSK Reporter integration
Features
Read full description

SimpleFT8 is a native macOS and iOS app for FT8 and FT4, the weak-signal digital modes used by amateur radio operators worldwide. WHAT IS FT8? FT8 is a structured digital mode for ham radio. Stations alternate transmitting and receiving in synchronized 15-second slots, exchanging compact messages over a narrow audio bandwidth. The mode decodes successfully at signal levels well below the noise floor — operators routinely make contacts on a watt or two of power with stations on the other side of the planet. SimpleFT8 puts a real digital station in your pocket. Decode signals using your device's microphone or a USB audio interface and send replies in the next slot. The manual station and local logbook work without an account. WHAT YOU GET • Live decode table per 15-second FT8 or 7.5-second FT4 slot • Slot-aligned transmitter with a structured QSO composer (CQ / reply / report / RR73 / 73) • Tap any decode to start a QSO — the state machine handles the rest of the handshake • Built-in waterfall display with tap-to-set TX frequency • Local QSO logbook with search, editing, ADIF import/export, and complete native backup/restore • Map of stations you've decoded with their Maidenhead grids SIMPLEFT8 FREE Free includes unlimited FT8/FT4 receive, waterfall and decode history; microphone and USB audio; manual CQ, reply and complete QSO exchanges; all TX safety controls; local logging and full portable ADIF import/export; and the basic community map. SIMPLEFT8 PRO — ONE-TIME LIFETIME UNLOCK Pro adds automatic replies, custom-message looping, CAT/PTT rig control, macOS System Audio capture, autonomous band hopping, advanced export scopes, direct QRZ Logbook transfer, and private iCloud log sync. No subscription. Customers who bought SimpleFT8 before it became Free receive Pro automatically. PSK REPORTER + PRESENCE (OPT-IN) If you turn it on in Settings: • Decode reports forwarded to PSK Reporter so you contribute to the global propagation map (rate-limited server-side) • See who heard you in the last 15 minutes, plotted on the map • See other SimpleFT8 operators currently online, on the same map Both toggles are off by default. QRZ transfer and private iCloud log sync are also separately configured and off by default. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • Native Swift/SwiftUI — no Electron, no Qt port. Looks and feels like a Mac/iOS app should. • Pro System Audio capture on macOS via ScreenCaptureKit — decode straight from SDR software, WebSDR, or any audio your machine is playing, without a virtual cable. • Random caller selection rather than first-come — every station in a pile-up has an equal shot at being picked. • Opinionated QSO state machine handles slot parity, role alternation, and protocol step transitions so you don't have to fight the radio. PRIVACY The app is foreground-only on iOS — the mic stops when the app goes to background. macOS keeps audio I/O alive (long FT8 sessions are the norm). Optional community and logbook integrations are clearly opt-in. No analytics, no tracking, no ads, and no subscription. Built by a ham operator for ham operators. 73 de PD3BAL.

About

The Browser

A fast, private web browser with on-device AI for summarizing pages and answering questions. It blocks ads and trackers by default, offers private tabs, and supports extensions.

Highlights
  • On-device AI for summarization and Q&A
  • Blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting
  • Private tabs with Face ID lock
  • Supports Chrome and Firefox extensions
  • Hide distracting elements on web pages
  • Reader mode for articles
  • Offline page translation
Features
Read full description

The Browser is a fast, private web browser with a built-in AI that runs entirely on your device — no account, no data collection, no tracking. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT • Blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting out of the box • Automatically declines cookie-consent pop-ups • Private tabs locked with Face ID • Nothing is collected — your browsing stays on your device ON-DEVICE AI • Summarize any page or ask questions about it • Runs locally with a compact model — works even without Apple Intelligence • No prompts or pages are sent to a server EXTENSIONS (BETA) • Install Chrome and Firefox extensions — one tap from their web stores or from a file • Manage permissions and per-site access BUILT FOR FOCUS • Hide Distracting Items — tap to remove clutter on any page, remembered per site • Reader mode for clean, readable articles • Offline translation of pages in many languages MADE FOR iPHONE & iPAD • Optimized iPad layout with a sidebar and multiple windows • Voice search, downloads manager, per-site settings • A customizable start page Fast, focused, and private — the way browsing should be.

Screenshots

SimpleFT83 screens
The Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Browser at none against SimpleFT8's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SimpleFT8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleFT8 ships an update every 3 days, The Browser every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SimpleFT8 versus The Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleFT8The Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB29 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJeroen RomboutsCristian Camilo Arias Botero

Customer experience

SimpleFT8

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

The Browser

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SimpleFT8

One-time1
  • SimpleFT8 Pro$3.99
None

The Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleFT8 free?
SimpleFT8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Browser free?
The Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleFT8 or The Browser have ads?
Neither SimpleFT8 nor The Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleFT8 or The Browser?
SimpleFT8 ships an update every 3 days, and The Browser every 2 days. Most recently, SimpleFT8 was updated on September 21, 2026 and The Browser on September 9, 2026.

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